Financial Aid & Scholarships

NEW and IMPROVED Starting Fall 2021

Federal Verification Process

We are pleased to announce we have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for Montana State University Billings. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.

If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or postcard from Inceptia, containing Montana State University Billings’s unique website link to start the verification process.

We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.

Follow these steps to complete your verification.

• Access our school’s unique website link in the email from VGCS@inceptia.org or listed below.
• Create your account and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
• Complete your Task List.
• Confirm your signature and review your information.
• Sign your account.

*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.

Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines for Montana State University Billings.

2021-2022 Federal Verification Inceptia Verification (verificationgateway.org)

Deadline for submitting these documents is August 31, 2022.

Questions about the verification process?

Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 888.374.8427 or VGCS@inceptia.org.

 About Inceptia

Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in financial aid management, default prevention, and financial education. Our mission is to support schools as they launch brilliant futures for students, armed with the knowledge to become financially responsible citizens. Learn more at Inceptia.org.

• MSU Billings has signed and returned the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Studentsand intends to provide at least 50 percent of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants directly to students. MSU Billings Chancellor Dan Edelman submitted the signed Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students on April 14, 2020.  
• MSU Billings will receive $2,193,195 in two disbursements.  The first of $1,096,975 has been received on May 4, 2020 and is currently offered to eligible students.
• As of June 30, 2021 MSUB has awarded 955 students a total of $860,030 in CARES abd HEERF II funds through the spring 2021 term.  This comprises an average award of $900.55 per student.  For the summer term, full-time undergraduate students with high Pell need amounted to 389 students at $403,860 while no-Pell came to 228 students at $221,550.  Part-time high Pell had 169 students for a total of $118,500 and part-time no Pell had 110 students for a total awarded of $771,550.  Full-time graduate student awards totaled 32 students for $28,900 while part-time graduate students received 27 awards for a total of $15,670.
• As of June 11, 2021 MSUB has awarded 797 students $784,145 in CARES and HERRF II funds for the spring 2021 term.  This comprises an average award per student of $983.87.  At present, no HEERF III (American Rescue Plan) dollars have been awarded to students.  Once the HEERF II funds have been utilized, ARP awarding will begin.  In addition to spring awards, a total of 118 summer students have received $89,900 in awards for an average payment of $761.86.  The smaller average award for summer is indicative of the larger number of students who enrolled part-time.
• As of May 19, 2020, MUS Billings has awarded 120 students for a total of $81,625 of the first CARES Act allocation.
• As of June 24, 2020- MSUB has awarded 402 students with a total of $270,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding.  This is an average award per student of $673.27
• As of August 27, 2020- MSUB has awarded 506 students (spring and summer) with a total of $322,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding.  This is an average award per student of $637.66.  In addition, preliminary awarding for the fall term as of this reporting date has an additional $150,000 for 155 students for an average award of $967.74. These will not be disbursed until fall census can confirm enrollment on September 9, 2020.  This comprises an actual and anticipated total disbursement 9/6/2020 of $472,655.
• As of October 30, 2020- MSUB has awarded 1299 students (spring, summer and fall) with a total of $819,930 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding.  This is an average award per student of $628.12.
• As of December 31, 2020- MSUB has awarded 1327 students (spring, summer and fall) with a total of $860,030 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding.  This is an average per student of $648.10.

• Quarterly CARES/HEERF Report for March 31, 2021

  As of March 31, 2021- MSUB has paid the remaining CARES allocation consisting of 233 awards for a total award amount of $236,945.  The MSUB HERRF II awards for the quarter consists of 348 students awarded for a total of $338,200 or an average award of $971.84

• Federal Work Study to SEOG CARES assistance: MSU Billings has awarded 200 students for a total of $77,560 in actual paid students. The earlier posing of $100,000 was reduced to account for student changes/withdrawals, etc.
• MSU Billings has identified 961 FAFSA-eligible students who enrolled for the spring 2020 semester. The first phase of awarding will go to our highest need students with a $0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The total number of $0 EFC eligible students is 532. Per federal and state guidelines issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), awards will have a general maximum of $800. Exceptional circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case where higher amounts will be considered.
• The MSU Billings awarding process will progress in stages in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) guidelines.  
• The awarding priorities will be:
  • First Priority: Spring 2020 students- highest need students first, mid-range EFC, then all other FAFSA eligible students.
  • Second Priority: Summer 2020 students
  • Third Priority: Fall 2020 students
  • Fourth Priority: Spring 2021 students until funds are exhausted.
• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. 

Institutional CARES Report Details

• Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act - 9/30/20
• Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act - 12/31/20

Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average

Tuition & Fees - $6,831

Housing & Meal Plan - $8,675

Total - $15,506

MSUB

Tuition & Fees - $6,220

Housing & Meal Plan - $7,250

Best Value - $13,470

Savings

Tuition & Fees - $611

Housing & Meal Plan - $1,425

Best Value - $2,036

SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $8,144

 Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average

Tuition & Fees - $9,031

Housing & Meal Plan - $8,675

Total - $17,706

MSUB

Tuition & Fees - $8,670

Housing & Meal Plan - $7,250

Best Value - $15,920

Savings

Tuition & Fees - $361

Housing & Meal Plan - $1,425

Best Value - $1,786

SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $7,144

*Note WUE at MSUB is guaranteed based on residency. Out-of-state students from a non WUE state are eligible for the Explore Montana Scholarship

Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average

Tuition & Fees - $23,236

Housing & Meal Plan - $8,675

Total - $31,911

MSUB

Tuition & Fees - $19,950

Housing & Meal Plan - $7,250

Best Value - $27,200

Savings

Tuition & Fees - $3,286

Housing & Meal Plan - $1,425

Best Value - $4,711

SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $18,844

Other MT 4 yr. Private Universities Average

Tuition & Fees - $31,765

Housing & Meal Plan - $9,672

Total - $41,437

MSUB

Tuition & Fees - $6,220

Housing & Meal Plan - $7,250

Best Value - $13,470

Savings

Tuition & Fees - $25,545

Housing & Meal Plan - $2,422

Best Value - $27,967

SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $111,868

Other MT 2 yr. College Average

Tuition & Fees - $4,375

Room & Board - $7,682

Total - $12,057

City College

Tuition & Fees - $4,070

Room & Board - $7,250

Best Value - $11,320

SAVINGS OVER 2 YEARS $1,474

Average of 3 For Profits

Tuition & Fees - $27,347

Books & Supplies - $2,807

Room & Board - $12,105

Total - $42,259

City College

Tuition & Fees - $18,520

Books & Supplies - $3,080

Room & Board - $14,500

Best Value - $36,100

SAVINGS OVER 2 YEARS $6,159

*For profit costs are challenging to find -- many do not have their own housing - but give average costs - books & Supplies are not consistent. Tuition is subject to change. Additional fees may apply.  (WyoTech - WY, Pheonix UTI - AZ, Lincoln Tech - CO)